Block molding machine



Jan. 25, 1949. FERRlN 2,460,220

BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed NOV. 18, 1946 INVENTOR. Lair/3 9 TFERm/v L2 w I Patented Jan. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES rem oer-Ice 1 Claim. (Cl. 2541) j The present invention relates to the general stationary-mold type that is hinged and separable, and a single surface plunger is employed and manipulated by crank and lever mechanism.

The primary object .ofthe invention is the provision of a plastic block press that is composed of a minimum number of component parts that may be manufactured at low cost of production and assembled 'with'facilityto insure a manually operated machine that is simple in construction, durable, and which may with convenience belopeiiatedto produce hollowblocks in standardized'shapesand sizes 'The invention 'consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be described in detail, and more specifically set forth in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of a physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accord with one mode I have devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention; but it will be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated, and may be made, in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, within the scope of my claim, without departing from the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a press embodying my invention and designed to produce a hollow cement block of rectangular shape, and showing by dotted lines the draw bars or pressure bars in released and inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the appliance as at line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view showing a portion of the main frame and operating parts, with the mold in horizontal section as at line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view as at line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view showing one of the latches for the separable sections of the mold; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the quick-detachable fastenings between a draw bar and the pressure board or plunger of the mold.

In the form of the invention illustrated I employ an upright frame I having a pair of horizontal parallel supporting bars 2, 2 upon which the elevated base board 3 is rigidly supportedby mortise connections and suitable fastening means, and a hat rectangularpallet' l is mounted on the board which board is transversely located at the longitudinal center of the two supporting bars2,2. l

As here shown the successive hollow blocks of cement or concrete are produced with rectangular interior and exterior surfaces and preferably the blocks are fashioned, with complementary and standardized rectangular heads and recta'n gular sockets at the opposite ends of the block's.

For this purpose the pallet is provided with a rectangular open frame or die 5 secured upon its upper face with its outeredges conformingito the size and shape of the pallet edges, a'ndjthe inn'e'r edges of the rectangular die arebeveled tdpifo duce a beveled faced head on the molded block.

A separable, open top and bottom mold is mounted upon the base board to enclose the pallet and die, and this sectional mold is composed of two right-angle sections 9 and If! that are hinged together at H and provided with one or more quick-detachable fastenings, one of which is best shown in Fig. 5 asconsisting of a flat keeper plate l2 fastened to a section It, and a pivoted hook l3 mounted on mold section 9.

The closed and fastened mold is shown in upright position standing on the base board, and the upper open end of the mold is used for the purpose of pouring in the plastic material around a centrally located, hollow rectangular core 6 that is detachably mounted on the base board, or directly upon the top face of the pallet by means of a pair of centering pins 1, 1 that are fastened, as by welding against the opposite inner faces of the metallic core. In attaching and afilxing the core in place these pins are passed downwardly through a pair of sleeves 8, 8, that are rigidly mounted in sockets of the base board and pallet, and these sleeves project below the base board to provide a stable support for the core.

After the plastic material has been poured into the mold and around the exterior of the hollow core, a. top pressure board or plunger i4 is applied to the upper open end of the mold as indicated in the drawings. On its inner face this rectangular board is provided with an open die or frame l5 that is designed to form a bell-end on the hollow block with a groove or socket complementary to the head that is formed by the die 5 at the other end of the block. The upper end of the core terminates a slight distance below the upper edge of the mold to allow clearance for the pressing movement of the board or plunger It, and the open center die 15 centers the plunger board It within the mold and around the core.

Downward pressure is applied to the plunger or board l4 after it has been fitted into place, and for this purpose the top face of the plunger is equipped with a pair of oppositely arranged hasps or keepers l5, l6 fastened thereon for coaction with complementary means mounted on two draw bars or pitmans l? and 18 that are arranged in upright position at opposite sides of the mold, with their lower ends pivoted at 19 on journal bearing rings or bands 20. These rings or bands are journaled on cranks of a rotary or ro shaft 21 extending longitudinally of the main frame, and the shaft, which is journaled in spaced bearings 22, 22 may be turned by means of a hand lever 23 fixed at the end of the shaft in position for ready access by the operator oi the press. At their upper ends each of the draw bars is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 24 that is designed to slip into a hasp or keeper KB of the presser board to insure a rigid connection between the draw bars and the plunger.

While the mold is being prepared the draw bars are swung to dotted line position in Fig. 1, out of the way, and after the mold has been filled and the plunger applied thereto, the bars are swung inwardly to engage the lugs in their keepers; then pressure is applied to the contents of the mold by manipulating the hand lever 23, which draws downwardly the drawbars and plunger until the plunger engages the top edge of core. The exterior faces of the mold may then be tapped as usual to settle the material evenly and uniformly; the draw bars are swung out of engagement from the mold, the plunger and mold are separated from the block, and the core may be removed by first tapping the lower ends of the pins 1 within the lower open ends of the sleeves 8 to elevate the core; then the elevated core may be removed by hand, leaving the hollow block standing upright on the pallet, for usual disposal.

Havin thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a plastic block machine the combination with a base board and a pallet, and a pair of upright supporting sleeves forming sockets rigid with and projecting below the board, of a central hollow core having a pair of centering pins located in said sockets, an open-center die-frame: mounted on the pallet and spaced from the core, a separable mold mounted on the base board and enclosing the pallet and die-frame, a presser board mounted in the upper open end of the mold and spaced above the core, an open-center dieirame mounted on the inner face of the presser board and engaging the outer surface of the upper end of the core, and means for depressing the presser board.

LESTER T. FERRIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 384,295 Stockwell June 12, 1888 824,235 Damon June 26, 1906 833,836 Julian et a1. Oct. 23, 1906 1,307,796 Sperry et al June 24, 1919 

